Otis Linley Sr

It is with great sadness that the family of Otis D. Linley Sr, 77, of Amarillo, Texas, announces his passing on March 6, 2026, surrounded by his family. 

A celebration of Otis's life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Schooler Funeral Home's Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia. 

Otis was born on September 12, 1948, in Amarillo, Texas, to Admiral and Grace Linley. He grew up in Childress, Texas, where he attended school and played football. He valued the friendships he made there and always enjoyed attending class reunions to see his classmates.

Otis worked for Burlington Northern for 30 years before retiring. He loved many things, such as his dogs, mud racing, and traveling to races to support his children and grandchildren. At the races, he was known as “Big O.” He also enjoyed boating with his family and had a lifelong love of old cars. Whether restoring them or simply owning them, classic cars were one of his favorite hobbies. In the past year, he and his wife, Cindy, started restoring old Ford pickups together, though health problems prevented him from finishing the project.

Otis was preceded in death by his parents, Admiral and Grace Linley; his sister, Sylvia Artis; his brothers, Dewey Linley, Dan Linley, and J.R. Trigg; and his best friend, Mike Brown of Childress.

He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Cindy Linley; his children, Otis Linley Jr and wife Karen of Amarillo, Jenny Rebecca Linley and Anthony of Tulia, and Tammy and Montie Glisson of Missouri; and his stepson, Bobby Ellena and wife Sara of Lubbock. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren—Nishia, Kacie, Sawyer, and husband Cooper Bilbery, Morgan, Stefani, Jessica, Johnathan, Eddie, and Joey— 20 great grandchildren.

Otis will be remembered for his love of family, racing, and classic cars, and for the many friendships he kept throughout his life.